A Journey To Living and Dreaming, Are You Following The Right Path (Guest Post)

A wonderful guest blogger has a great message for all of us today. (Carrie Ann Golden)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and feeling like maybe the path that you are on might not be the right one?

When my journey of blogging started it was for a completely different reason than what it has turned out to be today. I now have a journey that is life changer and an inspiration, instead of just a home business. In the middle of the series I was writing about (Finding your voice) I hit a block, not A writer’s block but a SOUL-SEARCHING block.

What did I do? I wanted to hide in the corner AND give up. I found things that I put away and never finished. I avoided working on what needed to be done and tried to escape.

But, what brought me back was blogging. I started to read what everyone else was writing about. It filled me up and gave me a new beginning.

Come and see what inspiration I received from my quest blogger and find your new beginning.

Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams

By

Carrie Ann Golden

“Life without dreaming is a life without meaning.” -Ritu Ghatourey

Dreams begin in the mind and heart of a person. They include one’s passions and desires. They give one a glimmer of hope. Dreams are meaningful; worthwhile to pursue, and hopefully one day, achieved. What happens though when a person gives up on those dreams? Or, deems them unreachable because an unthinkable event occurred?

What then?

“Dreams never truly die; they just change their appearances.”

I’ve always been a dreamer. As a young girl, I had all kinds of imaginary friends to connect with since in the real world, I found it difficult to communicate with those around me. My inability to communicate worsen over time until my Kindergarten teacher told my parents that I was “unteachable” and recommended to have me withdrawn from school. Soon afterwards, I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss and fitted with hearing aids. I spent the next two years in intensive speech therapy to help catch up on my speech development. It was around this time when I discovered writing (as a creative outlet for my imagination), and sports (to channel my frustration and over-abundant energy).

I accepted my hearing loss (as well as the fact that I spoke a bit differently) so it never stopped me from pursuing my passions. I entered college with the hope of becoming a professional in the Exercise Science field as well as a writer/journalist. It was around this time when I began to notice the growing difficulty getting around in the dark. One evening, as I walked from the girls’ dormitory to the Campus Center directly next door, I panicked because I couldn’t find the door to get into the building. I remember frantically feeling along the cement wall as I searched for the elusive door. This incident made it clear to me that something was definitely wrong with my vision.

I went to the eye appointment thinking that I just needed glasses. Instead, I was diagnosed with a form of Retinitis Pigmentosa-Usher Syndrome (a degenerative eye disease that also included moderate to profound hearing loss).

I was going blind.

I felt that my life had ended; that there was no hope in that I would be able to continue pursuing my dreams. So, I gave up on all of them.
For the next several years, emptiness and misery became my closest friends.

So, what changed me?

Honestly, it wasn’t just one thing. It was a growing awareness of others with worse circumstances than me, but instead of wallowing in their own despairs, they marched through their challenges and met them head-on. They didn’t completely give up on their dreams and hopes; instead, they improvised and eventually realized their dreams.

Who are some of these people?

Michaela Bushey Devins-a young girl with dreams of being a singer then suffered a life changing injury that left her a quadriplegic and part of vocal chords paralyzed. She went on to graduate with a degree in music education, and is now working with others as a literacy specialist while encouraging young adults to never give up when life gets tough.

Brad Scott-even though he has Cerebral Palsy this didn’t stop him from becoming a Paralympian (middle distance runner).

Carme Garcia-is visually impaired who went to be a para-alpine skier, blind sailor and journalist.

Rebekah Gregory-a runner who lost her leg in the 2014 Boston Marathon bombing only to return to the same race a year later and finished with a prosthetic leg.

Jack Marchetti-a software engineer, screenwriter, and film maker who has Cone-Rod Dystrophy (similar to RP).

Knowing all this gave me hope. If they could accomplish what they did even with their disabilities and diseases, then I no longer have any excuse!

I penned the quote above to motivate me to stay focused as well as to remind myself that no matter what, dreams do NOT die; they just CHANGE their appearances. As long as I continue to dream, life will always have meaning.

One of the dreams I want to reclaim is write a novel that would be traditionally published. As I write this post, today is my Daddy’s birthday. I am recommitting myself to this for him as he died way too soon. I have a story that is starting to take shape in my mind that focuses on the special bond between a daughter and her father. I’m nervous. Very nervous, but also excited as I begin to create an outline for the story.

Taking the first steps are so crucial, but also quite scary. What if I fail?What if I’m never good enough? We are our own worse enemy with an inner critic that likes to be cruel to us. The key is to never give up.

The same goes to you, dear reader. No matter what kind of disability you may have, your dream can come true! Never stop believing in your dreams!

Always remember this: You’re not alone. Finding others who have similar challenges to share with can prove to be life-saving; in this case, dream-saving. By building a strong support group, this would provide the motivation and courage in ways you wouldn’t be able to gain on your own.So, here are my challenges to you:

1. Recognize the dreams and hopes you lost/gave up, and the reason you did.
2. Admit to yourself that you need these dreams.
3. Pick one of your dreams, and find a way to achieve it.
4. Share it with at least one person what you intend to do.
5. Put it in to action!

*******************************

If that inspired you please share and let her know. You may read more of her writings here.

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Hi, I'm Sandy, I am a Wealth and Mindset Lifestyle Coach who helps the struggling online entrepreneur so that they can create the business of their dreams.
I really struggled figuring out my place and with all the programs that I have been in, no one ever told me where to go or what to do after I signed up. They seem to say you needed it and then just let you go. With the People I have found and what I learned, I pushed through and figured it out.
I offer my services to you because I found a place that offers the help; and want you to get the full benefit out of what you are working on and start producing right away, without the hassle of trying to figure it out for yourself.
Come and see where your skills and passion can create the life of your dreams.
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